By Allison Opson Clement, News Editor
Dozens of families in the Monmouth and Independence communities are unable to afford a Thanksgiving dinner for themselves. Western’s Residence Hall Association (RHA) works with other student organizations to raise donations of money and specific items to the Ella Curran Food Bank in Independence, helping to provide a turkey basket to families that request it for the holiday.
The food bank would not be able to supply everything without the support of Western student donors and volunteers.
“We put everything in there except the turkey,” said Michael Mann, coordinator of leadership programs with university housing and advisor to the RHA Executive Board. A turkey basket consists of all the other items that are needed for a Thanksgiving dinner, including the fixings for cooking the bird, and a desert. “They tell us what they need, and we work to supply it.”
“It is hard to get specific items donated,” said Olivia Kunkel, president of the RHA Executive Board
Often, people will donate money instead. Volunteers purchase items from local stores with these funds to compile the necessary items.
“Some of our students or some of our community members could have come from these households,” said Mann, adding that for the rest, “It’s a moment when we’re able to pay forward a lot of the opportunities we’ve received.”
A turkey basket costs less than $16 to fill, an easy donation that can have a powerful impact.
“Any way that anyone can give, we will find a way to make it work,” said Mann.
Donations of food items, paper bags and money can be brought to either the University Housing Office or the RHA office in South Sister Annex under Valsetz Dining Hall.
“It really helps that we can give them the largest amount possible so that the most people can get served,” said Kunkel.
Not only is there a great need for assistance, but the experience is also highly beneficial to those who volunteer and support the turkey basket drive, she added. The students have a chance to get connected to the community, and it is also a valuable opportunity for getting involved.
“Having this experience does really play into their leadership role,” said Molly Hinsvark, RHA Executive Board publicist and historian. Western Oregon University is responsible for sending people out into the world, she said, adding, “Volunteering does really help become a better person in general.”
Although the focus on donation typically comes around the holidays, food insecurity is a year-long issue.
“It’s really important that we’re supporting it,” said Kunkel. “We want to help better the community.” Western students are involved with the community, she added, and this is one way to show appreciation for that.
RHA Executive Board National Communications Coordinator Giovanna DiFalco said that one important feature of this effort is to help make resources not only accessible, but also socially acceptable, since there may be stigma associated with asking for help on such matters.
“It’s exciting,” said DiFalco. She is working with local stores in preparation for buying the supplies that are needed for the turkey baskets, letting them know what items the drive is looking to purchase.
“Our part kind of stops when we take it to the food bank,” said Kunkel. The Ella Curran Food Bank keeps a list of people requesting turkey baskets and distributes them when they are ready.
Starting Friday, Nov. 21, volunteers from hall government and the RHA will sort out the food, and will deliver the bags to the food bank that weekend.
“We’ve seen a steady increase to now,” said Mann. “They tell us every year how appreciative they are.”
Mann estimates that about 100 baskets were made last year. This goes a long way to helping community families, he added, but there are always more people who need help.
“We don’t know all the ways that this will have an impact for everyone,” said Mann. “It’s a tradition we’re happy to keep up.”
